3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Increases Affiliative Behaviors in Squirrel Monkeys in a Serotonin 2A Receptor-Dependent Manner
Elizabeth G Pitts, Adelaide R. Minerva, Erika B Chandler, Jordan N Kohn, Meghan T Logun, Agnieszka Sulima, Kenner C Rice, Leonard L. Howell
Neuropsychopharmacology September 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.80 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study with drug administration and behavioral analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4 |
| Population | Group-housed squirrel monkeys |
| Interventions | MDMA methamphetamine 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist 5-HT_2C receptor agonist 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key findings | MDMA increases affiliative social behaviors and vocalizations in squirrel monkeys via 5-HT_2A receptor-dependent mechanisms, while 5-HT_1A receptors are not required for these effects. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) increases sociality in humans and animals. Release of serotonin (5-HT) is thought to have an important role in the increase in social behaviors, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. Despite the advantages of nonhuman primate models, no studies have examined the mechanisms of the social effects of MDMA in nonhuman primates. The behavior and vocalizations of four group-housed squirrel monkeys were examined following administration of MDMA, its enantiomers, and methamphetamine. 5-HT receptor antagonists and agonists were given as drug pretreatments. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. MDMA and its enantiomers increased affiliative social behaviors and vocalizations, whereas methamphetamine had only modest effects on affiliative behaviors. Pretreatment with a 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist and a 5-HT_2C receptor agonist attenuated the MDMA-induced increase in social behaviors, while a 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist did not alter affiliative vocalizations and increased MDMA-induced social contact. Nonhuman primates show MDMA-specific increases in affiliative social behaviors following MDMA administration, in concordance with human and rodent studies. MDMA-induced increases in social behaviors are 5-HT_2A, but not 5-HT_1A, receptor dependent. Understanding the neurochemical mechanisms mediating the prosocial effects of MDMA could help in the development of novel therapeutics with the unique social effects of MDMA but fewer of its limitations.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 16
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- Pivotal mental states Journal of Psychopharmacology April 1, 2021
- Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ACS Chemical Neuroscience July 12, 2018
- Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics and entactogens. Neuropsychopharmacology July 24, 2023
- Separating the agony from ecstasy: R(−)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine has prosocial and therapeutic-like effects without signs of neurotoxicity in mice Neuropharmacology October 6, 2017
and 11 more in the library
Cites 22
- Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin Synapse 2000
- The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 19, 2010
- Durability of improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2013
- Increased oxytocin concentrations and prosocial feelings in humans after ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) administration Social Neuroscience June 25, 2009
- The Prosocial Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Controlled Studies in Humans and Laboratory Animals Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 25, 2015
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